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Monday, 23 January 2012

Review and Giveaway

Hearty Vegan Meals for Monster Appetites

Celine Steen and Joni Marie Newman

Here-after referred to as "Hearty Vegan" to make things simpler.

Of the book and the layout itself I don't have much to say - there's nothing I picked up on as being something I'd have like to have seen done differently. There's not a big blah blah section in the front of this one, which is not the preference I have, I personally like all the introductory chapters in cookbooks. I know not everyone does, so this may be more of a plus to people who aren't like me, some folks like to just get to the recipes. The recipes in this one are well spread out, mostly one to a page, with an easy to follow layout. Directions easy to read and follow - not squished in. This book has loads of very nice pictures! which for me is not a necessity, but very nice to have all the same. The glue on my front cover has come a little loose, but maybe that is my treating the book a little roughly!

Running through the recipes I made - in page number order to keep things straight and fair.

P 30 - Breakfast Potatoes O'Brien

Nice, very tasty, though heavy! We had them for dinner not breakfast, which was better for us. Would have liked to have been given a time range for the potatoes to cook once in the oil so I could have timed my meal a little better.

P 43 - Coconut Creme Brulee Baked Oatmeal

Oh, yummy. More of a dessert (a heavy-ish dessert) than a breakfast as it was so decadent and delicious. My sugar didn'tbrulee, as you maybe can see in the photo) but that is more a comment about my sugar than the recipe! This one I will make many times and can see myself changing up the flavorings.

P 71 - Creamy Mushroom Soup

Nice. Simple, easy to make Mushroom Soup when you feel like a bowl of something warm and comforting.

P 119 - Black and Braised Tofu

This was my least favorite of all the recipes I made. Not because the recipe is bad or anything, but it just wasn't to my taste is all. You get that in all cookbooks.

P 149 - Irish Nachos

Oh, I really, really enjoyed these! I wasn't sure I would but then I all but licked the plate. So simple but so yummy.

P 151 - Home Fries with Chipotle BBQ Seasoning

I have a bunch of the seasoning left over, so I will have to force myself - oh, such a hardship - to make these again to use it up. (I am being sarcastic in case it isn't translating). Enjoyed these.

P 153 - Twice Baked Potatoes

These were OK. Filling was a little too sloppy (liquid?) for my preference but I only had small potatoes so used more than stated and maybe didn't use enough. My bad.

P 161 - Tofu Jerky

I will have to make this one again, as it was delicious. Not as chewy as I was expecting, but I did only use EF tofu, and would like to try with super-firm.

P 172 - Kale with a Kick

So good I made it twice! Photo with Tofu Jerky, above.

P 209 - Mamou's Magical Vinaigrette

Nice and simple, yet tasty, salad dressing.

P 213 - Smoky Pub Cheese

This one really does taste like smoked cheese spread. Texture is a little gummier and not as creamy as I was expecting but that didn't stop us from eating the lot very quickly. Super simple to make as well.

P 216 - Imitation Bacon Bits

I'm still working through the pile of these in my fridge. I found if you nibble at them straight up as they are they weren't smoky or salty enough for my expectations, but when used ON something the flavor really pops. Nice one. In Irish Nachos photo, above.

P 231 - Frangipane Rice Pudding

I love rice pudding, and this one is a nice variation on your bog standard puddings.

As last weeks giveaway the publishers are providing a copy of Hearty Vegan to one lucky reader. As last week, yet again, they are willing to ship to an address in the US. Sorry for everyone else but they are shipping so they are calling the shots.

Like last time just leave a comment, this time before midday Sunday Jan 29th (PT), to enter. Winner announced shortly after that. Good luck.

Checked this book out from my local library and am saving up to get a copy; not working right now so winning it would be wonderful. Favorites so far are the PB and OM muffins, the Ham-ish saucisses which I used to make the Haute Pockets with my own pastry recipe instead of store bought puff pastry, and I jazzed up the bacon bits subbing tamari for some of the water and omitting the salt, food color and most of the oil, adding a bit of maple syrup. Going to try the chorizo next.

Anything involving the vegan nachos, of any kind, catches my eye. This book sounds INCREDIBLE. My fitness goals would be out the window for the year, but I'd try every recipe in this cookbook, for sure! Thanks for the giveaway!ceevegnashville [at] gmail [dot] com

Nut Topped Hazelnut and Almond Bundt Cake

Does anyone read this?

Gingerbread.

Look at all the ginger in there!

Any recipes posted here are of my own devising unless otherwise stated. I will always provide credit for recipes, and inspiration, where applicable and links where possible. I would appreciate the same courtesy.